Popular messaging client WhatsApp, which introduced the voice calling feature on its mobile apps earlier this year, is now figuring out how to reduce the data usage while making those VoiP calls.

Making progress on that front, the company has introduce a new feature dubbed “Low Data Usage” on a recently released beta v2.12.5 of WhatsApp’s iOS app. The description of the feature confirms that enabling this option will lower the amount of bandwidth voice calls consume.

“Enabling this option further lowers the amount of cellular or WiFi data used during a VoIP call,” the description reads. The feature, as of now, is only available on WhatsApp for iOS app and is yet to show up on other clients.

One issue with voice calling over VoiP, however, is that they eat up too much data. This makes them not as feasible alternative to traditional cellular calls. And this is where many companies are investing heavily.

WhatsApp’s competition Hike messenger, for instance, earlier this year acquired Zip Phone, a YCombinator-backed company that detects and automatically routes calls through 3G or Wi-Fi connection when possible. Furthermore, Zip Phone is able to provide Hike the technology to facilitate voice calls even on spotty internet connections.

Manish Singh Ex-Author Manish is an Engineering graduate in Computer Science but spends more time in writing about technology. He has written for a number of Indian and international publications including BetaNews, BGR India, WinBeta, MakeTechEasier, MediaNama, and Digit magazine among others. When not writing, you would find him ranting about the state of digital journalism on Twitter.